Through its programme on Globalization and Development Strategies, UNCTAD contributes to the international debate on globalization and the management of its consequences for developing countries.

The programme promotes policies at the national, regional and international level that are conducive to stable economic growth and sustainable development. It regularly examines the trends and prospects in the world economy, undertakes studies on the requirements for successful development strategies and on the debt problems of developing countries.

It also provides technical support to developing countries in their efforts to integrate into the international financial system and to manage their external debt.

NEWS

The yearly joint workshop of the Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI) and UNCTAD's Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) Programme was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, in June on debt data validation.

Palestinian Ministers and senior officials have expressed appreciation for UNCTAD's role in supporting the development of the Palestinian economy through its technical cooperation projects that aim at building capacities and helping to overcome the persistent challenges.

The Council of Ministers of Finance of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (COSEFIN) invited UNCTAD to present the Principles on Promoting Responsible Sovereign Lending and Borrowing at its session in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on 25 July.​

In remarks presented to the 19th General Meeting of Shareholders of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) currently taking place in Beijing, China, UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi expressed cautious optimism about an emerging South but warned of continued vulnerabilities.

A Practical Guide to Trade Policy Analysis, co-published by the WTO and UNCTAD's Virtual Institute has been launched. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy and UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi describe it as a "state-of-the-art" tool for policy analysis and a contribution to a more level playing field in trade relations.